The History of Rolls-Royce

By Falcon Car Rental

Today, the name “Rolls-Royce” brings to mind luxury vehicles and timeless elegance. But back in the early 1900s, the brand was little more than a fantastical dream. Charles Stewart Rolls, the owner of numerous successful car dealerships, and Frederick Henry Royce, an engineer and automobile designer, partnered up to launch the high-end vehicle brand in Westhampnett, United Kingdom, back in 1904.

Early Success

The company was officially launched in March 1906, and within a year the innovative six-cylinder Silver Ghost was revealed. The car quickly gained critical acclaim after traveling nearly 14,500 consecutive miles – breaking a world record at the time. In 1907, the car was considered the height of luxury, and would continue to be until it was eventually replaced by the New Phantom in 1925. Today, the Ghost Series II has reemerged as one of the brand’s most popular models.

World War I

As the first World War began to affect Europe, fewer people were able to afford luxury vehicles. During this time, Rolls-Royce experienced a dip in sales. Due to this fact, and because their country was in danger, Charles Rolls and Frederick Royce came together to focus their efforts on aviation innovations. They successfully created an airplane engine, the Eagle, which was used in nearly half of the aircrafts used by the Allies. Although the brand is best known for their contributions to the automobile industry, Rolls-Royce continued making plane engines for decades.

1930s and 1940s

As the company helped out with aviation efforts, it also continued producing world-class automobiles. The Phantom II was regarded as a more sensible mode of transportation for upper class families in Europe than its predecessor, and they began to be popularized throughout England and France. Later, the Phantom III rose to prominence during the ‘30s, largely in part due to its powerful V12 engine. During the 1940s, the brand debuted one of its most iconic cars – the six-cylinder Silver Wraith. The original Wraith models were extremely heavy. This weight consideration led the brand to be more mindful when eventually creating newer models like the Silver Dawn, which featured more aerodynamic, lighter bodies.

Royal Rolls-Royce

Having spent nearly half a century polishing their products, Rolls-Royce found its way into the Royal Palace. Between 1950 and 1956, the brand produced just 18 models of the exclusive Phantom IV after one was requested by Princess Elizabeth in 1950. Seventeen of the cars were sold to England’s royal family. Today, this car is still considered one of the rarest Rolls-Royce vehicles in the world. The smashing popularity of the Phantom IV led the way for the powerful Phantom V, which was introduced in 1959 and featured a V8 engine.

Rise in Popularity

By the time the 1960s rolled around, the name Rolls-Royce was associated with wealth and selective status. The royal family played a large part in Rolls-Royce becoming a household name, and soon other notable figures and celebrities were scrambling to get their own set of keys to a Rolls-Royce. Despite the frequent appearances of Rolls-Royces in movies and the influential people who now supported the brand, the 1970s were a rough decade for the company. After a serious of financial setbacks, it was determined that the company would be reorganized and ran as two separate businesses.

A New Beginning

After being purchased by Vickers, a British engineering company, a section of the brand was renamed Rolls-Royce Motors Limited and started producing a number of new vehicles and aircraft engines. The Thrust 2 was an especially celebrated model during this time, as was the Silver Spirit. Although the company had its share of successes during the 1980s, the brand was then bought by BMW during the 1990s. BMW is largely responsible for bringing the brand back into the global spotlight with the reemergence of the Phantom.

Present Day

Since the early 2000s, numerous iconic models such as Ghost, Silver Seraph, and the Wraith have been reintroduced by Rolls-Royce. Currently, all cars are manufactured in Goodwood, England. Rolls-Royce is already considered one of the best car brands in the world – for both their groundbreaking bodies and optimal performance. However, the brand isn’t done innovating just yet; Rolls-Royce is set to release a project like nothing they’ve ever done before – a fully equipped SUV. The super-luxury car will be released in either 2018 or 2019, and is said to include features like a roaring V-12 engine, and it’s believed that a plug-in-hybrid version of the car will also be available.

Fittingly, the name Cullinan is supposed to dazzle – it’s referencing the Cullinan Diamond, which was a gargantuan gem weighing in at 3,106.75 carats. The brand boasts that the Cullinan will also be supported by aluminum space-frame architecture, and will be capable of being driven off-road thanks to a high end suspension system designed specifically for the model. Additionally, 2018 will find the brand releasing a new Phantom series, the eight iteration of the luxury sedan. The new Phantom will also feature the cutting edge space-frame technology, as well as a highly powerful 6.75-liter V-12 engine.

Looking into a Rolls-Royce vehicle? Why not take a test drive by renting a luxury car at Falcon Car Rental. When you find yourself in Southern California, be it for work or play, we offer a plethora of Rolls-Royce vehicles to choose from.

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Terms and Conditions

1. Definitions. “Agreement” means all terms and conditions found in these Terms & Conditions, the Face Page, the Waiver and Assumption of Risk, any addenda and any additional materials we provide and that you sign at the time of rental. “You” or “your” means the person identified as the renter on the reverse, any person signing this Agreement, any Authorized Driver and any person or organization to whom charges are billed by us at its or the renter’s direction. All persons referred to as “you” or “your” are jointly and severally bound by this Agreement. “We,” “our” or “us” means the independent business named on elsewhere in this Agreement. “Authorized Driver” means: (a) the renter and the renter’s spouse; (b) additional drivers listed by us on this Agreement; and (c) other persons define as “authorized drivers” under Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 482.31515. Authorized Drivers are the only persons permitted to operate the Vehicle. Each Authorized Driver must have a valid operator’s license for the type of vehicle rented and be at least 25 years of age. “Vehicle” means the motorcycle/scooter/ATV/golf cart identified in this Agreement and any vehicle we substitute for it, and all its tires, tools, accessories, equipment, keys and vehicle documents. “Loss of Use” means the loss of our ability to use the Vehicle for our purposes due to Vehicle damage or loss during this rental, including, without limitation, use for rent, display for rent and sale, opportunity to upgrade or sell, or transportation of employees. “Charges” means the fees and charges that are incurred under this Agreement. “Rental Period” means the period between the time you take possession of the Vehicle until the Vehicle is either returned to or recovered by us and checked in by us.

2. Rental, Indemnity and Warranties. This is a contract for the rental of the Vehicle. We may repossess the Vehicle at your expense without notice to you, if the Vehicle is abandoned or used in violation of law or this Agreement. You agree to indemnify us, defend us and hold us harmless from all claims, liability, costs and attorney fees we incur resulting from, or arising out of, this rental and your use of the Vehicle. We make no warranties, express, implied or apparent, regarding the Vehicle, no warranty of merchantability and no warranty that the Vehicle is fit for a particular purpose.

3. Condition and Return of Vehicle. You must return the Vehicle to our rental office or other location we specify, on the date and time specified in this Agreement, and in the same condition that you received it, except for ordinary wear. If you wish to extend the Rental Period, you must return the Vehicle to our rental office for inspection and written amendment by us before the due?in date. If the Vehicle is returned after closing hours, you remain responsible for the loss of, and any damage to, the Vehicle until we inspect it upon our next opening for business, and Charges will continue to accrue. Service to the Vehicle or replacement of parts or accessories during the rental must have our prior approval. You must check and maintain all fluid levels, and return the Vehicle with at least the same amount of fuel as when rented.

4. Responsibility for Vehicle Damage or Loss; Reporting to Police. Regardless of fault, you are responsible for all damage to or loss or theft of the Vehicle during the Rental Period, which results from any cause, including damage caused by collision, weather, vandalism, road conditions and acts of nature. Subject to the law in the jurisdiction where the Vehicle was rented, your responsibility will include: (a) all physical damage to the Vehicle measured as follows: (i) if we determine that the Vehicle is a total loss, the fair market value of the Vehicle, less salvage; (ii) if we determine that the Vehicle is repairable: (A) the difference between the value of the Vehicle immediately before the damage and the value immediately after the damage; or (B) the reasonable estimated retail value or actual cost of repair; (b) Loss of Use, which is measured by multiplying your daily rental rate either by the actual or estimated number of days from the date the Vehicle is damaged until it is replaced or repaired, which you agree represents a reasonable estimate of Loss of Use damages and not a penalty; (c) an administrative fee as permitted by Nevada Revised Statutes §§ 482.3154 and 482.31535; (d) towing, storage, and impound charges; and (e) all costs associated with our enforcement of this Agreement or collection of Charges, including attorneys’ fees, collection fees, and costs whether or not litigation is commenced. You must report all accidents or incidents of theft and vandalism to us and the police as soon as you discover them. Your responsibility for damage to the Vehicle and Loss of Use resulting from vandalism not related to theft of the Vehicle and not caused by you will not exceed $2,500. You are not responsible for loss or damage to the Vehicle resulting from theft or vandalism related to the theft if you have possession of the ignition key or you establish that the ignition key was not in the Vehicle at the time of the theft; you file an official report of the theft with the police within 24 hours of learning of the theft; and you cooperate with us and the police in providing information regarding the theft; and neither you nor an Authorized Driver committed or aided in the commission of the theft.

5. Prohibited Uses. The following uses of the Vehicle are prohibited and are material breaches of this Agreement. The Vehicle shall not be operated or used: (a) by anyone who is not an Authorized Driver, or by anyone whose driver’s or other operator’s license is suspended in any jurisdiction; (b) by anyone under the influence of prescription or non?prescription drugs or alcohol; (c) by anyone who obtained the Vehicle or extended the rental period by giving us false, fraudulent or misleading information; (d) in furtherance of any illegal purpose or under any circumstance that would constitute a violation of law, other than a minor traffic violation; (e) while pushing or towing anything, or in any race, speed test or contest, or while teaching anyone to drive the Vehicle; (f) while carrying dangerous or hazardous items or illegal materiel in or on the Vehicle; (g) outside the geographic limitations indicated elsewhere in this Agreement; (h) if the odometer has been tampered with or disconnected; (i) when the Vehicle’s fluid levels are low, or it is otherwise reasonable to expect you to know that further operation would damage the Vehicle; (j) to commit a willful, wanton or reckless act; (k) by anyone who is sending an electronic message, including text (SMS) messages or emails, while operating the Vehicle; or (l) in violation of any “Rules of the Road,” vehicle safety and operations training, or other similar materials that we provide to you at the time of rental.

6. Insurance. You are responsible for all damage or loss you cause to the Vehicle and to others. You agree to provide liability, collision and comprehensive insurance covering you, us, and the Vehicle. We also provide an insurance policy (“Policy”) that covers automobile liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage to third parties with limits no higher than the minimum amounts stated in the financial responsibility insurance laws of the state whose laws apply to the loss. Any insurance we are required to provide is excess to any other valid and collectible insurance whether primary, secondary, excess or contingent. The Policy contains exclusions, conditions, and limitations applicable to anyone claiming coverage. You and we reject PIP, medical payments, no?fault, uninsured and under? insured motorist coverage. To the extent such protection is imposed by operation of law, that protection will be for the minimum limits required by applicable law. You must: (a) report all damage to us and all accidents to us and the police as soon as you discover them and complete our incident report form; and (b) provide us with a legible copy of any service of process, pleading, or notice of any kind related to an accident or other incident involving the Vehicle. Coverage under the Policy is void if you give the Vehicle to an unauthorized driver or otherwise materially breach this Agreement; or if you fail to cooperate in a loss investigation or to file a timely and accurate incident report.

7. Charges. You permit us to reserve or set aside against your credit/debit card (“Reserve”) or take a cash deposit (“Deposit”) at the time of rental a reasonable amount in addition to the estimated charges. We may use the Reserve or Deposit to pay all Charges. We will authorize the release of any excess Reserve or refund any excess Deposit upon the completion of your rental. Your debit/credit card issuer’s rules will apply to your account being credited for the excess, which may not be immediately released by the card issuer. You will pay us, or the appropriate government authorities, at or before conclusion of this rental or on demand all Charges, including: (a) time and mileage for the period during that you keep the Vehicle, or a mileage charged based on our experience if the odometer is tampered with or disconnected; (b) charges for additional drivers; (c) optional products and services you purchased; (d) fuel, if you return the Vehicle with less fuel than when rented; (e) applicable taxes; (f) tolls (“Tolls”) and Toll, parking, and traffic fees, fines, and penalties (“Violations”) assessed against us or the Vehicle; if we are required to pay the charging authority for Tolls or Violations, you will reimburse the amount that we pay, plus our administrative fee of up to $50 for each such Toll or Violation; (g) all expenses we incur in locating and recovering the Vehicle if you fail to return it or if we elect to repossess the Vehicle under the terms of this Agreement; (h) all costs, including pre? and post?judgment attorney fees, we incur collecting payment from you or otherwise enforcing our rights under this Agreement; (i) a 2% per month late payment fee, or the maximum amount allowed by law (if less than 2%), on all amounts past due; (j) $50 or the maximum amount permitted by law, whichever is greater, if you pay us with a check returned unpaid for any reason; (k) a reasonable fee not to exceed $250 to clean the Vehicle if returned substantially less clean than when rented; and (l) a fee of up to $200 if you lose the keys to the Vehicle. All Charges are subject to our final audit. If errors are discovered after the close of this transaction, you authorize us to correct the Charges with the payment card issuer.

8. Your Property. You release us, our agents and employees from all claims for loss of, or damage to, your personal property or that of any other person, that we received, handled or stored, or that was left or carried in or on the Vehicle or in our offices, whether or not the loss or damage was caused by our negligence or was otherwise our responsibility. 9. Personal Information. You agree that we may disclose personally identifiable information about you to applicable law enforcement agencies or to other third parties in connection with our enforcement of our rights under this Agreement and other legitimate business functions. Questions regarding privacy should be directed to the location where you rented the Vehicle.

10. Miscellaneous. No term of this Agreement can be waived or modified except by a writing that we have signed. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between you and us. All prior representations and agreements between you and us regarding this rental are void. .A waiver by us of any breach of this Agreement is not a waiver of any additional breach or waiver of the performance of your obligations under this Agreement. Our acceptance of payment from you or our failure, refusal or neglect to exercise any of our rights under this Agreement does not constitute a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement. You waive all recourse against us for any criminal reports or prosecutions that we take against you that arise out of your breach of this Agreement. Unless prohibited by law, you release us from any liability for consequential, special or punitive damages in connection with this rental or the reservation of a vehicle. If any provision of this Agreement is deemed void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions are valid and enforceable. Acknowledge the purchase terms and conditions: I understand that this insurance is non-refundable and I agree to comply with the terms and conditions for this purchase as follows: • I understand that once I take possession of the rental vehicle, all insurance is fully earned and no refunds will be given for any unused days. • This Insurance is non-transferable and only provides coverage for the Authorized Driver. Authorized Drivers are those drivers identified on the front of the rental agreement as authorized/additional drivers.

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